Injection correction impression tray

ABSTRACT

An injection correction impression tray ( 18 ) serves for producing dental impressions for the subsequent manufacture of crowns, bridges and other dental prostheses. The tray ( 18 ) includes a base body ( 23 ) containing impression material and a profile bottom plate ( 27 ). The plate ( 27 ) includes a first channel ( 41 ) and a second channel ( 43 ) being arranged in the bottom side of the plate ( 27 ). The plate ( 27 ) is connected to the base body ( 23 ) in a way to close the bottom opening ( 6 ) of the tray ( 18 ) and such that the bottom side and the channels ( 41, 43 ) face the interior of the base body ( 23 ). The first channel ( 41 ) forms a rib of a first impression material being introduced into the interior of the base body ( 23 ) and flowing through the bottom opening ( 6 ) into the first channel ( 41 ). The first channel ( 41 ) is designed and arranged such that a channel for introducing correction impression material is formed by the first channel ( 41 ) and a remainder of the first impression material after the rib of the first impression material has been partly removed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of International ApplicationPCT/EP2008/001922 with an International Filing Date of Mar. 11, 2008 andclaiming priority to co-pending German Patent Application No. 10 2007012 540.4 entitled “Injektionskorrektur-abformlöffel zur Direkt-,Abzweig-und Reihenbefüllung mit Korrekturabformmasse”, filed on Mar. 13,2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for producingdental impressions including an injection correction impression tray.

The impressions of the jaw including teeth are taken for the subsequentmanufacture of crowns, bridges and other dental prostheses. The generaltechnique described herein is the so called “injection correctionimpression” technique. This technique includes at least the steps ofproducing a first impression with a first impression material and ofproducing a second impression, the so called “correction impression”. Inthe first step, an impression of the teeth is produced with a firsthigh-viscosity impression material. In another step, a more exactcorrection impression is produced. During this step, a low-viscositycorrection impression material is used as a correction material toproduce an impression of portions of the teeth which were not accessibleduring the first step. For this purpose, the correction impressionmaterial is injected into the interior of the tray and into the firstimpressions located therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for producing injection correction impressions of a jawincluding teeth is generally known in the art. The apparatus includes atray which has a bottom side and side surfaces forming a chamber forcontaining impression material. The tray including a high-viscosityimpression material is introduced into the mouth of the patient, and thepatient closes the mouth such that the teeth enter the impressionmaterial. In this way, a first impression is produced with the firsthigh-viscosity impression material. After hardening of the impressionmaterial, the tray is removed from the mouth of the patient. Next, thehardened impression material is partly removed to produce an injectionchannel for a correction impression material to be used in a followingstep. The tray is then reintroduced into the mouth of the patient in thesame position, and a low-viscosity correction impression material isinjected into the injection channel and into portions within the traywhich were not accessible during the first step using the high-viscosityimpression material. The known apparatus and method conducted therewithmay lead to defective impressions due to saliva, blood, air, turbulencesand other anatomic influences such as the tongue, the cheek bands and soforth. Such defects may result in the necessity of having to repeat theproduction of the impression or to insufficient prosthetic results.Thus, the known method is time consuming, stressful, expensive and takesa lot of work.

An apparatus for producing injection correction impressions of a jawcontaining teeth is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,550 B1 correspondingto German Gebrauchsmuster DE 200 10 403 U1 and DE 299 20 226 U1. Asimilar apparatus is known from German Gebrauchsmuster DE 203 08 413 U1.The know apparatus includes an injection correction impression trayhaving an interior for containing an impression material. The trayincludes a closed bottom side into which an impression material isintroduced. Furthermore, a casting channel mould can be inserted intothe tray. The casting channel mould is removed after having produced thefirst impression, and the injection channel resulting therefrom is usedfor the following production of the correction impression.

Another apparatus for producing an injection correction impression of ajaw including teeth is known from German Gebrauchsmuster DE 201 05 176U1. The apparatus includes an injection correction impression trayhaving an interior for containing an impression material. The tray has abottom opening. The apparatus further includes a bottom plate beingdesigned and arranged to be connected to the tray to close the bottomopening. The bottom plate has a plain bottom side which faces theinterior of the tray. After having produced the first impression, thebottom plate is removed from the tray to be capable of manually removingparts of the impression material to produce an injection channel for acorrection impression mass to be later introduced through the injectionchannel.

Other apparatuses for producing impressions of a jaw including teeth areknown from German Gebrauchsmuster DE 200 21 854 U1, U.S. Pat. No.6,394,802 B1 and German Patent Application No. DE 196 08 546 A1.

Other apparatuses in which the injection channels are located at thesidewalls in the interior of the tray are known from German PatentApplication Nos. DE 100 20 894 A1 and DE 101 53 245 A1. Injectionchannels and drainage channels, respectively, are attained byselectively removing parts of the wall of the tray. It is not possibleto individually choose variable injection channels and drainagechannels.

Another method and apparatus is known from German Patent No. DE 195 26017 C1. The correction impression material is introduced into the trayby injection nozzles which can be later closed, and the surplus ofcorrection impression material exits the tray through outlet nozzleswhich can also be closed. The nozzles are located at fixed positions inthe wall of the tray.

Another apparatus is known from German Gebrauchsmuster DE 201 04 943 U1.An injection channel for the correction impression material is producedby a placeholder hose which can be later removed from the firstimpression material. The channel is located in the first impressionmaterial inside of the tray. Thus, it is difficult to access the channeland to realize controlled application of the correction impressionmaterial.

Another apparatus is known from German Patent Application No. DE 10 2005042 013 A1 and EP 1 759 659 A1 corresponding to US Patent ApplicationNo. US 2007/0054237 A1. The apparatus includes an injection correctionimpression tray and a bottom plate, the bottom plate including apositive protrusion (i.e. a rib) being arranged at its bottom sidefacing the interior of the tray. In this way, an injection channel for acorrection impression material is formed in a position in which thebottom plate is connected to the injection correction impression tray ina way that the protrusion protrudes into the interior of the injectioncorrection impression tray. The bottom plate is designed as a reversingbottom plate having another side being arranged opposed to the bottomside and being designed to be substantially plain.

Another apparatus is known from German Patent No. DE 43 04 421 C1. Theapparatus includes an injection channel being located in the inside ofthe closed tray which cannot be opened. It is not possible to attainvariable flow paths of an impression material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for producingdental impressions for the subsequent manufacture of crowns, bridges andother dental prostheses. The apparatus serves to produce injectioncorrection impressions of teeth being contained in a jaw.

The apparatus includes an injection correction impression tray having aninterior for containing impression material. The tray includes a bottomopening. The apparatus further includes a bottom plate having a bottomside including a channel. In the connected position of the bottom plateand the injection correction impression tray, the opening of the channelfaces the bottom opening of the injection correction impression tray.

With the novel apparatus, it is possible to effectively produce dentalcorrection impressions with an apparatus which may be easily handled.The novel injection correction impression tray may be handled in asimilar way as known trays which simplifies usage of the novel apparatusfor the user.

The novel apparatus does not require complicated equipment, but itinstead can be easily manufactured and handled. The novel apparatus isoperated in a way that the channel located in the bottom plate serves toform protrusions or ribs in the first impression material. Theseprotrusions or ribs may then be easily removed at freely choosablelocations to produce channels through which correction impressionmaterial may later flow.

The injection correction impression tray may include one or more of thefollowing features:

-   -   1: a bottom opening    -   2: a stiffening frame    -   3: fixing and supporting devices    -   4: valve edge forming devices    -   5: sinking limiting devices    -   6: sinking limiting device bearings    -   7: a handle    -   8: a separating means

Ad 1: The bottom opening is located in the bottom of the tray and of thebase body of the tray, respectively. It is arranged at a distance withrespect to the bottom rim to ensure sufficient stability of the tray.

Ad 2: The stiffening frame increases the stiffness of the tray. It isdimensioned and formed and connected to the tray in an appropriate way.Stiffness may also be increased by folds and other shapes of the basebody.

Ad 3: The fixing and supporting devices are located at a suitableposition at the base body of the tray and at the handle, respectively.They serve to connect the base body and the bottom plate in a way thatthey can be fixedly connected and then disconnected in a non-destructiveway.

Ad 4: The valve rim forming devices are located at the rims of the wallof the base body of the tray. They are designed to form a valve rim withthe first impression material.

Ad 5: The sinking limiting devices during the first molding step limitthe movement of the teeth into the first impression material, and theythus guarantee sufficient thickness of the first impression materiallocated between the teeth and the bottom plate. The sinking limitingdevices are either fixedly connected and/or in a way to be connectableto and removable from the tray. The fixed sinking limiting devices arefixedly connected to the wall of the base body of the tray and/or thestiffening frame or they are part of the wall of the base body. Theremovable sinking limiting devices preferably are designed as pins andthe like being supported in bearings being located in the wall of thebase body of the tray. They are removed or dislocated in case they blockthe flow path of the correction impression material in the firstimpression material.

Ad 6: The bearings for the sinking limiting devices preferably aredesigned as openings in the wall of the base body of the tray and of thestiffening frame, respectively. Their dimensions are coordinated withthe cross-section of the sinking limiting devices. In the mountedposition of the apparatus, the bottom plate stabilizes the supportedmobile sinking limiting devices against unintentional movement.

Ad 7: The handle is connected to the mesial outer wall of the base bodyof the tray. Its design is coordinated with anatomic and ergonomicrequirements and to fit to the bottom plate.

Ad 8: The separating means serve to easily separate the bottom platefrom the tray.

The bottom plate may include one or more of the following features:

-   -   1: a handle    -   2: fixing and supporting devices    -   3: sealing protrusions or sealing channels    -   4: retention devices    -   5: sidewalls    -   6: channels        -   one or more channels, depending on their function being            called in the following            -   injection channel, or            -   drainage channel        -   inlets and outlets depending on their association with the            above mentioned channels being designated in the following            as            -   injection channel inlet and injection channel outlet or            -   drainage channel outlet or drainage channel inlet    -   7: inlet adapter    -   8: outlet adapter    -   9: a separating means    -   10: closing plug

Ad 1: The handle of the profile bottom plate is arranged in the mesialportion, and it has a shape such that its fits to the handle of the basebody of the tray in the mounted position. It includes separating meansfor simplifying detachment of the bottom plate and the base body of thetray.

Ad 2: The bottom plate includes fixing and supporting devices beinglocated at a suitable position, the devices connecting the bottom plateand the base body of the tray in a detachable way.

Ad 3: Sealing protrusions and sealing channels, respectively, arelocated at the side of the bottom plate at which the channel is located.The sealing protrusions and channels, respectively, form channels andprotrusions, respectively, in the first impression material. Theseprotrusions and channels, respectively, improve sealing of the injectionchannel and of the drainage channel, respectively, preventing thecorrection impression material from draining away during the productionof the correction impression.

Ad 4: Retention devices may be located at the top side of the bottomplate, i.e. the side opposite to the side including the channels. Theyare filled with high-viscosity impression mass (for example the firstimpression mass) in which the teeth of the counter jaw engage duringproduction of the first impression. The teeth of the counter jaw engagethese impressions during the later process of producing a correctionimpression, and they ensure that the tray is fixedly located at thedesired place due to the biting pressure applied by the patient.

The bottom plate may include sidewalls or removable elements similar tosidewalls serving to contain impression mass.

Ad 6: The surface of the bottom plate facing the interior of the tray inthe mounted position of the apparatus includes at least one injectionchannel extending over both legs of the plate. It includes at least oneinjection channel inlet which preferably is arranged in the mesialportion of the profile bottom plate. At least one injection channeloutlet is preferably arranged at each distal end of the injectionchannel. It is also possible to arrange a plurality of injectionchannels in the bottom plate, for example one injection channel in eachleg of the bottom plate and/or an additional injection channel in theregion of the front teeth. These channels include at least one injectionchannel inlet and at least one injection channel outlet being arrangedat suitable positions.

Ad 7: In addition to the at least one injection channel, the profilebottom plate includes at least one drainage channel. The drainagechannel preferably is arranged approximately parallel to the injectionchannel, and it includes at least one drainage channel outlet preferablybeing arranged in the mesial portion of the profile bottom plate.

Ad 8: To simplify application of the correction impression material andfor realizing an optimal connection of the impression materialapplicator, the injection channel inlet has a suitable shape and itincludes an inlet adapter. The inlet adapter may be part of the profilebottom plate, or it may be designed as a separate device beingconnectable to and detachable from the injection channel inlet.

Ad 9: The drainage channel outlet has a suitable shape and it includesan outlet adapter to allow for connection of a source of negativepressure (for example a suction device). The outlet adapter may be partof the profile bottom plate, or it may be designed as a separateapparatus being connectable to and detachable from the drainage channeloutlet. The connection of the suction device to the drainage channeloutlet of the injection correction impression tray being filled withcorrection impression material and being located in the mouth of thepatient serves to realize the following effects:

a) Drying the flow paths and the preparation chamber. The sucked in airstreams into the injection opening and through the flow paths servingfor containing the correction impression material and through thepreparation chambers to the outlet opening. This results in humiditybeing absorbed and removed.

b) Producing a negative pressure in the preparation chamber and in theflow path system. Closing the injection channel inlet with an applicatorresults in a negative pressure prevailing in the flow path system and inthe preparation chamber, the negative pressure increasing the flowproperties and the impression forming properties of the correctionimpression material.

Ad 10: The separating means serve to simplify detachment of the profilebottom plate from the base body of the tray.

Ad 11: The inlet openings and outlet openings and the inlet adapter andthe outlet adapter, respectively, can be closed by closing plugs whichcan be later removed. The closing plugs may be designed as single plugscorresponding to each of the associated openings or as a combined plugunit serving to close a plurality of the openings or even all openings.The plugs can only enter the profile bottom plate until they reach theassociated injection channel and the drainage channel, respectively.They serve to prevent the first impression material from entering theinjection openings and the drainage openings, respectively. Otherwise,the material would harden in these openings, and its retention wouldimpede disassembly of the bottom plate from the tray.

The profile bottom plate and the tray are designed and shaped such thatthey can be interconnected in a position in which the bottom opening ofthe tray is closed by the bottom plate. It is to be understood that thebottom plate can later be removed from the tray. The at least onechannel located in the bottom plate faces the interior of the tray inthis position.

In case the thickness of the profile bottom plate is not sufficient, thewalls of the channels could also extend into the other side of thebottom plate, meaning the other side does not necessarily have to beplain.

The cross-section of the channel preferably is semi-circular, U-shapedor V-shaped, and it is dimensioned to correspond to the viscosity of thecorrection impression material. The cross-section of the channels mayalso vary to control the injection pressure and the flow properties ofthe correction impression material.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the followingdrawings and the detailed description. It is intended that all suchadditional features and advantages be included herein within the scopeof the present invention, as defined by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principlesof the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the bottom surface of the profile bottom plate.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the bottom side of the base body of the tray.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the novel apparatus being placedon a lower jaw.

FIG. 4 illustrates another schematic sectional view of the novelapparatus being placed on a lower jaw.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view along I in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view along II in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of III in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view along IV in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a part of the sidewalls of the base bodyof the tray.

FIG. 10 is a perspective top view of another exemplary embodiment of theprofile bottom plate of the novel injection correction impression tray.

FIG. 11 is a perspective top view of another exemplary embodiment of thebase body of the novel injection correction impression tray.

FIG. 12 is a perspective top view of another exemplary embodiment of thebase body of the novel injection correction impression tray.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the novel injection correctionimpression tray including a base body being connected to a bottom plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates thebottom surface of the profile bottom plate 27 including sidewalls 28, acontinuous injection channel 19 and two injection channel inlets 20.Each leg of the profile bottom plate 27 includes a distal injectionchannel outlet 21 and a continuous drainage channel 2 including twomesial drainage channel outlets 5. The channels are designed asimpressions in the bottom side of the profile bottom plate 27.

FIG. 2 illustrates the bottom side of the base body 23 of the tray 18.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a longitudinal sectional view throughthe legs 32 of the tray 18 during production of a correction impression.The injection correction impression tray 18 is located on the lower jawof a patient. The tooth stumps 39 are contacted by correction impressionmaterial. The flow path is illustrated by arrows.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a longitudinal sectional view throughone leg 32 of the tray 18 while the tooth stumps 39 are contacted bycorrection impression material. The injection correction impression tray18 is located on the lower jaw of a patient. The flow paths areillustrated by arrows.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view along line I in FIG. 3 through theleg 32 of the injection correction impression tray 18. The profilebottom plate 27 includes sidewalls 28. The injection correctionimpression tray 18 is located outside of the mouth of the patient.

FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view along line II through the leg 32 ofthe injection correction impression tray 18. The profile bottom plate 27includes sidewalls 28. The injection correction impression tray 18 islocated outside of the mouth of the patient.

FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view along line III in FIG. 4 through theleg 32 of the injection correction impression tray 18 including adeaerating channel 11. The injection correction impression tray 18 islocated outside of the mouth of the patient.

FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view along line IV in FIG. 4 in theposition of tooth 37. A connecting channel 34 is located between theinjection channel 17 and the drainage channel 4. The injectioncorrection impression tray 18 is located outside of the mouth of thepatient.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a part of the walls 26 of the tray 18including different sinking limiting device bearings 10.

In the following, the production of a dental impression by using acorrection impression material 25 is explained in greater detail. Theapparatus includes an injection correction impression tray 18 includinga base body 23 and a profile bottom plate 27. The profile bottom plate27 may include sidewalls 28, a continuous injection channel 19 and twoinjection channel inlets 20. Each leg 32 includes a distal injectionchannel outlet 21 and a continuous drainage channel 2 including twodrainage channel outlets 5.

Before the teeth are prepared for a connection to a crown, a bridge or adifferent dental prosthesis, an impression of the lower jaw, forexample, with high-viscosity first impression material 8 is produced.The interior 24 of the base body 23 is filled with first impressionmaterial 8. The material 8 is also introduced between the sidewalls 28of the profile bottom plate 27 facing away from the interior 24 of thetray 18. The first impression material 8 is intended to surround thesinking limiting devices 9 in the interior 24 of the base body 23 and tofully fill the space between the sinking limiting devices 9 and theprofile bottom plate 27. The injection channel 19 and the drainagechannel 2 located in the surface of the profile bottom plate 27 facingthe interior 24 of the injection correction impression tray 18 are alsofilled with first impression material 8. The injection correctionimpression tray 18 being filled with first impression material 8 in thisway is now introduced into the mouth of the patient and located on thelower jaw and moved towards the lower jaw in a downward directionresulting in the teeth and the jaw structure entering the firstimpression material 8.

The sinking depth is limited by sinking limiting devices 9 preventingthe teeth from contacting the bottom surface of the profile bottom plate27. It is intended that first impression material 8 flows over the outerrims of the walls 26 of the base body 23 in a way to form a valve rimwhen the teeth are lowered into the injection correction impression tray18. The valve rim seals the interior of the tray 18 against the oralcavity such that saliva does not enter the interior of the apparatus.After having placed the tray 18 on the bottom jaw, the jaws are closeduntil the teeth of the counter jaw enter the first impression material 8being located on the opposite side of the profile bottom plate 27. Thejaws remain in this position until the first impression material hashardened. When this has been achieved, the tray 18 is removed from themouth and the teeth are prepared in the desired way.

In the next step, the profile bottom plate 27 is removed from the basebody 23 of the injection correction impression tray 18 to get preparedfor the correction impression being produced. Now, the hardened firstimpression material 8 is freely accessible over the extension of theentire bottom opening 6. The surface of the material 8 at this placecorresponds to the shape of the channel of the profile bottom plate 27.In other words, the injection channel 19 and the drainage channel 2 havebeen filled with first impression material 8 such that protrusions orribs have been produced. The sealing protrusions/sealing channels 7 nowhave formed impressions and protrusions, respectively.

In the next step, flow paths for the correction impression material 25leading to the preparation chambers 29 are produced in the firstimpression material 8. For directly filling a first tooth, an injectioncut 16 is formed in the first impression material 8, for example by asuitable hollow knife, to realize a connection to the impression of thetooth. The injection rib 15 is removed in a region between the injectioncut and the injection cut 16 and the injection channel outlet 21. Aninjection cut 16 is also produced in the first impression material 8 tofill the other tooth as illustrated. This channel is intended to beconnected to the injection rib 15. This rib 15 is removed from theconnecting point to the next injection channel inlet 20. Furthermore, aconnecting channel 34 between the injection channel 17 and the drainagerib 3 is formed in the first impression material 8 in a location distalto the injection cut 16. The drainage rib 3 is removed from that placeto the next drainage channel outlet 5. In this way, flow paths 12 of thecorrection impression material 25 are produced in the fourth quadrant.These flow paths 12 are schematically illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6.For filling the preparation chamber 29 about the tooth stumps in thesense of series filling, an injection cut 16 is produced in theinjection rib 15, the cut 16 realizing a connection to the tooth. Theinjection rib 15 is removed between the injection cut 16 and the nextinjection inlet 20. A connecting channel 34 is produced between theteeth. A drainage cut 1 connecting the tooth impression and theinjection rib 15 being located there above is produced, and theinjection rib is then removed in this portion. A connecting channel 34to the drainage rib 3 is then produced, and the rib 3 is removed betweenthat place and the next drainage outlet. In this way, one attains a flowpath 12 of the correction impression material 25 for this quadrant. Thisis schematically illustrated in FIGS. 4, 7 and 8.

Deaerating channels 11 being connected to the drainage channel 4 areproduced at a suitable location, preferably at the lowermost location ofthe tooth impressions of the prepared teeth. The deaerating channel 11serves to deaerate the preparation chamber 29 when being filled withcorrection impression material 25.

After having produced the flow paths 12, the base body 23 is once againplaced on the lower jaw 25, the teeth 37 and the jaw structures enteringthe impressions that have been produced during the first dentalimpression production. The places where impressions are to be taken arenow dried with air via the injection cuts that have been produced in thefirst impression material 8. In the following, correction impressionmaterial 25 is supplied to the tooth stump by an applicator via theinjection cut 16 such that it enters the preparation chamber 29. Thematerial 25 is pressed into the tray 18 with surplus. Afterwards, theprofile bottom plate 27 is connected to the base body 23, the surplus ofthe correction impression material 25 exiting the tray 18 through theinjection channel outlet 21. When the profile bottom plate 27 isconnected to the base body 23, the remaining parts of the drainage rib 3and the injection rib 15 are supported in the injection channel 19 andthe drainage channel 2, respectively, of the profile bottom plate 27. Atthe locations where parts of the ribs 19, 2 have been removed, the wallsof the channels and the first impression material 8 in the portion wherethe ribs have been removed now form the injection channel 17 and thedrainage channel 4. The supported sealing protrusions/sealing channels 7prevent the correction impression material 25 from exiting the channels.

The jaws are now closed resulting in the teeth of the counter jawentering the tooth impressions 38 in the first impression material 8 onthe opposite side of the profile bottom plate 27. The position of thetray 18 on the lower jaw 22 is fixed by a controlled biting pressure.The correction impression material 25 is now pressed into the respectiveinjection channel 17 via the associated injection inlet 20 at controlledpressure.

The correction impression material 25 may flow through the flow path 12being formed in the first impression material 8 to reach the toothstump. Due to gravity, it flows downwardly into the preparation chamber29. The surplus correction impression material 25 being further pressedinto the tray 18 flows through the connecting channel 34 being formed inthe first impression material 8 to the drainage channel 4 and from thereto the drainage outlet 5. At this place, it exits the injectioncorrection impression tray 18.

Another possibility is that the correction impression material 25 flowsalong the flow path 12 to the tooth stump and via the connecting channel34 to another tooth stump. Due to the drainage cut 1, it is guided viathe distal injection channel to the connecting channel 34 to thedrainage channel 4. It then exits the correction impression tray 18through the outlet channel 5. Due to the deaerating channels 11 beingformed in the first impression material 8, persisting air and remaindersof liquid are dislocated from the preparation chamber into the drainagechannel due to the increasing correction impression material 25. Thus,the impression is produced free from bubbles.

To optimize the flowing properties and the impression producingproperties, it is possible to produce a negative pressure in therespective preparation chamber 29 before or when it is filled withcorrection impression material 25. The negative pressure is produced byconnecting a source of negative pressure (a saliva sucking device, forexample) to the respective drainage outlet 5 while simultaneouslyclosing the injection channel inlets 20 with the applicator in anairtight manner.

When the correction impression material 25 has hardened, the injectioncorrection impression tray 18 is removed from the mouth of the patient,and it is used for further processing in a known way for producingcrowns, bridges and other dental prostheses.

With respect to the design of another embodiment of the injectioncorrection impression tray 18 including the base body 23 and the profilebottom plate 27 which can be connected to and disconnected from the basebody 23 and with respect to the functionality of the injectioncorrection impression tray 18, it is now referred to FIGS. 10-13.

FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the novel injectioncorrection impression tray 18 including the profile bottom plate 27.With respect to many aspects of the profile bottom plate 27, it isreferred to the above descriptions. In this case, the profile bottomplate 27 at its bottom side being illustrated in FIG. 10 includes afirst channel 41, a second channel 42 and a third channel 43. Thechannels 41, 42 and 43 substantially have an arcuate shape as itgenerally corresponds to the shape of the bottom plate 27, thecorrection impression tray 18 and also the jaw of a patient. Allchannels 41, 42, 43 are connected to the outer rim of the bottom plate27. The channels 41, 42 are connected to the outer rim to allow forimpression material to be introduced into the channels 41, 42 and toexit the channels 41, 42.

In the mounted position of the tray 18 illustrated in FIG. 13, thechannels 41, 42 and 43 serve to supply room to be filled with firstimpression material. The first impression material is supplied from theother side of the tray 18, and it completely fills the tray 18 such thatit also enters the channels 41, 42, 43 of the bottom plate 27. In otherwords, the channels 41, 42, 43 serve to produce protrusions or ribsbeing made of first impression material. In a following step, the bottomplate 27 can be removed from the base body 23 such that the ribs becomeaccessible. Now, the ribs can be partly removed by the dentist with aknife and the like such that one attains channels. In the next step, theprofile bottom plate 27 is once again connected to the base body 23. Thechannels 41, 42, 43 in the profile bottom plate 27 now together with thechannels in the first impression material that have been produced formchannels which can be used for introducing the correction impressionmaterial and for deaerating purposes (channel 43), respectively. Thechannels corresponding to the removed ribs being produced by thechannels 41, 42 provide the flow path for the correction impressionmaterial. The channel resulting from the removed rib being produced bythe deaerating channel 43 serves for deaerating purposes such that thepreparation chambers 29 can be fully filled with correction impressionmaterial and the air previously contained therein can exit the tray 18.

As it is to be seen in FIGS. 10 and 13, the channels 41, 42 have adiameter which is greater than the diameter of the third channel 43. Thethird channel 43 is connected to the channel 41 which extends almostover the entire length of both legs 32 of the tray 18.

FIG. 11 illustrates the base body 23 including a stationary sinkinglimiting device 9 and three movable sinking limiting devices 44. Themovable sinking limiting devices 44 are designed as pins which can beintroduced into the interior of the base body 23 through respectiveopenings in the sidewall of the base body 23. The sinking limitingdevices 44 and the sinking limiting device 9 serve to ensure that theteeth of the patient can only be introduced into first impressionmaterial contained in the tray 18 until they are stopped by the sinkinglimiting devices 9, 44. In this way, the teeth are prevented fromexiting the base body 23 through the bottom opening 6 and from enteringthe region of the profile bottom plate 27 and the channels 41, 42, 43.

Furthermore, FIG. 13 illustrates an injection nozzle 45 being connectedto the tray 18. The injection nozzle 45 serves to introduce theimpression material into the tray 18.

Many variations and modifications may be made to the preferredembodiments of the invention without departing substantially from thespirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thepresent invention, as defined by the following claims.

1. An injection correction impression tray for producing dentalimpressions, comprising. a base body, said base body having sidewalls, abottom opening and an interior, the interior being surrounded by saidsidewalls and being designed and arranged to contain impressionmaterial; and a profile bottom plate, said profile bottom plateincluding a bottom side, a top side and an outer rim, said profilebottom plate including a first channel and a second channel, said firstchannel and said second channel being arranged in said bottom side, saidfirst channel and said second channel substantially having an arcuateshape and extending over a substantial portion of said bottom plate,said first channel and said second channel being interconnected andbeing connected to said outer rim, said profile bottom plate beingconnected to said base body in a way to close said bottom opening andsuch that said bottom side and said first channel and said secondchannel face said bottom opening and the interior of said base body;said first channel being designed and arranged to form a rib of a firstimpression material being introduced into the interior of said base bodyand flowing through said bottom opening into said first channel, saidfirst channel being designed and arranged such that a channel forintroducing correction impression material is formed by said firstchannel and a remainder of the first impression material after the ribof the first impression material has been partly removed, said secondchannel being designed and arranged to form a rib of a first impressionmaterial being introduced into the interior of said base body andflowing through said bottom opening into said second channel, saidsecond channel being designed and arranged such that a deaeratingchannel is formed by said second channel and a remainder of the firstimpression material after the rib of the first impression material hasbeen partly removed.
 2. The tray of claim 1, wherein said first channelhas a first diameter and said second channel has a second diameter, saidfirst diameter of said first channel being greater than said seconddiameter of said second channel.
 3. The tray of claim 1, furthercomprising a fixing and supporting device, said fixing and supportingdevice being designed and arranged to connect said profile bottom plateto said base body in a way that they are detachably fixedly connected.4. The tray of claim 2, further comprising a fixing and supportingdevice, said fixing and supporting device being designed and arranged toconnect said profile bottom plate to said base body in a way that theyare detachably fixedly connected.
 5. The tray of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one sinking limiting device, said sinking limitingdevice being designed and arranged to limit movement of teeth into firstimpression material contained in said tray to guarantee sufficientthickness of the first impression material located between the teeth andsaid profile bottom plate.
 6. The tray of claim 2, further comprising atleast one sinking limiting device, said sinking limiting device beingdesigned and arranged to limit movement of teeth into first impressionmaterial contained in said tray to guarantee sufficient thickness of thefirst impression material located between the teeth and said profilebottom plate.
 7. The tray of claim 3, further comprising at least onesinking limiting device, said sinking limiting device being designed andarranged to limit movement of teeth into first impression materialcontained in said tray to guarantee sufficient thickness of the firstimpression material located between the teeth and said profile bottomplate.
 8. The tray of claim 5, wherein at least one sinking limitingdevice is designed as a removable pin, said removable pin beingsupported in an opening being located in said sidewalls of said basebody.
 9. The tray of claim 6, wherein at least one sinking limitingdevice is designed as a removable pin, said removable pin beingsupported in an opening being located in said sidewalls of said basebody.
 10. The tray of claim 7, wherein at least one sinking limitingdevice is designed as a removable pin, said removable pin beingsupported in an opening being located in said sidewalls of said basebody.